UKCA Testing Times Ahead For Testing

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One organisation has warned that changes to Part L of the building regulations are likely to intensify testing demand in the run up to the December 31 deadline for UKCA certification.

The warning, from Element Materials Technology, a testing and certification service provider to the construction industry, comes in now that the 15 June deadline for Part L revisions has come in to effect.

As part of a shift towards lowering domestic CO₂ production through the Future Building Standard, all new doors and windows entering the market must meet new mandated U-values.  However, any existing products currently on the market which meet the new mandated U-values must still achieve UKCA marking in order to be sold in the UK from 1 January 2023.

The requirement is likely to affect hundreds of products manufactured outside of the UK, even if they have achieved CE marking in the country of manufacture.

Approval

UKCA marking can only be issued by an approved body listed on the UK government’s database. As there are only a small number of approved bodies, manufacturers who have not yet started or completed the process could find themselves under pressure to secure laboratory space before UKCA marking requirements come into force.

 “On the surface, the changes to minimum U-values set out in the updates to Part L are straightforward. Indeed, a sizeable majority of products currently in circulation are already compliant.”

– Chris Bryan 

Senior test engineer, Element Materials Technology

Finding a smooth transition

“The real issue is that any product that has been CE-marked in another country – even if it meets the U-value requirements set out in the changes to Part L – will need to be re-tested in the UK to achieve UKCA marking to continue being sold here from the start of next year,” continues Bryan. “The realisation is really starting to take effect amongst the international fabrication community. We have already seen a surge in demand in recent weeks and only expect that to increase as we get closer to the UKCA deadline.

“I would strongly urge any fabricators who either manufacture overseas or are looking to meet the new requirements to book UKCA testing now to ensure a smooth transition.”

Picture: Part L changes likely to prompt surge in UKCA testing.

www.element.com

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
30th June 2022

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